Two Injured After Car Hits Oncoming Traffic East of Columbus

RICHLAND – Two people were injured, two cars were totaled, and a fire truck was damaged after an accident Monday morning near the Colfax/Platte County line.

Colfax County Attorney Denise Kracl says rescue crews were called at 4:53 a.m. for an injury accident on Highway 30 at the Richland curve. An investigation revealed that a 36-year-old Columbus woman was driving her 2004 Chevy Trailblazer eastbound on Highway 30 when she lost control of her vehicle according to Kracl.

The Trailblazer then crossed over the grassy median into oncoming traffic and struck a 2007 Buick LaCrosse being driven by a 53-year-old North Bend woman, says Kracl. The vehicles came to rest in the northwest ditch of the curving highway.

The North Bend woman was taken to CHI Hospital in Schuyler with unknown injuries and the Columbus woman was treated an released at the scene. Kracl says both vehicles were reportedly totaled in the collision.

While at the scene, a 48-year-old Columbus man was driving eastbound in a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix when he slid through the safety lights activated on the ground and collided with the rear-end of a Schuyler Fire 2017 Spartan Pumper truck according to Kracl. The man reportedly lost control of his vehicle due to the icy conditions and hit the truck that had its lights on in the northern most lane of Highway 30.

Rescue personnel were able to get out of the way of the out of control vehicle and no injuries were reported as a result of the second accident. Kracl says the man was cited for careless driving.

The Richland curve is approximately 3 miles east of the Colfax/Platte County line.

The Schuyler Fire Department went to Facebook to ask drivers to be cautious while driving in slick conditions.